Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology – Neil Gaiman

When first announced, or noticed from various feeds, unsure of my original source, but once mighty Amazon latches onto it, though, it keeps popping up.

The mythology itself is part of the background for one series I’m fond of — Wagner’s the Ring Cycle.

My image of the
Norse Mythology spine?

The supernatural, mythical quality of the various pantheons of gods, and how some of these are stories that reflect our personal, hopefully individual experiences, even to this day, help explain the presence of the myths.

Seems to be a rather concise retelling of the Norse Pantheon, which all the tales of foundation, experience, and how the worlds came to be.

While not a long book, it is done with a novelist’s eye (and ear), so the language — and narrative — flows.

I walked into the last of the Big Box Bookstores, and purchased my copy, first day it was available. At the checkout, I was a little upset it didn’t have the stickers for discounts, as the advertised price on online was almost ten bucks less. Ten bucks and realistically, three days away.

The Apple iBook version was less expensive, but not as portable, not for me. At least two other family members (hi Mom) will want to borrow this copy. Maybe more, as we will all go to the Ring next year.

I meant to include the deity Loki when I was listing other tricky bastard like Coyote.

In the introduction to Loki and his ways, there were several long passages I underlined, and — if I was reading a digital copy — I would copy and include. However, being swept away with the immediacy of the prose, I didn’t stop. There were great passages that explain, in a very short space, the true nature of the gods, their stories, and why this matters.

“That was the thing about Loki. You resented him even when you were at your most grateful, and you were grateful to him even when you hated him the most.” Page 67.

And Loki? Too bright by half.

Loki did seem to get an excessive amount of bandwidth in the book. Tricky guy. Perhaps there’s a reason I’m always attracted to his perfidy, as amusement.

Norse Mythology

There are other gods in the gang.

When asked what I was reading, with the book in hand, I summed up as “Gods behaving badly.” Although, to be honest, I really liked the depiction of Thor as a slow-witted athlete, mighty of stature, but maybe a little weak of mind.

Except, Thor is smart enough to know he shouldn’t trust Loki — ever.

Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology – Neil Gaiman

Norse Mythology

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